Reflection - Evaluation of Group and Individual Projects

Evaluation - Group Project

I believe our group has been one of the strongest - we have communicated on a daily basis to make sure there were clear tasks for each individual to carry out and there wasn't anyone sat around doing nothing. Everyone in the group had different strengths which I believe helped a great deal as everyone could concentrate on something separate, that they were strong at, and feed their ideas back to the group so that all components were cohesive. At first, I thought I might struggle to contribute to the project, with being from a textiles background rather than interior design, however, myself and Jenny created the initial colour scheme from the first ideas that the group discussed, as well as helping to choose appropriate materials to fit with industry standards. I have also enjoyed watching an idea turn into a reality through CAD and visuals, which the interiors students contributed towards mostly.

After the initial pitch to Bruntwood, they thought our designs were one of the strongest they'd seen, and they said we had considered their needs well. I believe we took a risk in developing the Blue Sky option after the interim presentation, as it would be more difficult for Bruntwood to achieve, rather than a slight rearrangement of what was currently there. However, we all felt that this was the stronger option as it catered more closely to what Bruntwood were looking for initially - more break out space. In the final pitch, Bruntwood were really interested in what myself and Jenny had produced in the way of fabric samples. They thought our group had worked together extremely well, but they had reservations about our reasons for choosing to develop the 'Blue Sky' option rather than Option 2, as this would have been an easier task. They also were slightly concerned about the new name 'Fairhurst House' as they thought this dated the building, and the interior redesigning was contemporary, which they thought didn't add up. They did however commend the group for challenging the name and attempting to change it, although it didn't quite work in the end. The group were extremely happy with the feedback given, although some of it was constructive criticism. I believe the best part of the new design was the meeting space and furniture as this is what Bruntwood initially set out to achieve through allowing us to design for them. 

Model of Blue Sky option - Fairhurst House


I have found the group project highly rewarding and I have enjoyed experiencing working towards a live brief with Bruntwood. It has kept me interested throughout and I have felt motivated to work on this project, although I did feel at times it was a little too relaxed and timings were uncertain until last minute. I would like to work on an interiors project again to find out more about the industry and to gain more technical knowledge of the digital programs used such as Sketch Up and Vector Works.

Evaluation - Individual Project

By collaborating with Jennifer (specialises in Print) who is from a different discipline within my own course (Textiles In Practice) - I specialise in Embroidery with a Mixed Media approach, I feel we have drawn from each other's strengths. I have used the laser cutter before so I was aware of what the guidelines were, as well as what works most effectively when the laser cuts into the material. We have pushed ourselves outside of our comfort zones by not starting with colour and working towards a 3D product from the beginning to try something slightly different than what we are used to. We also have not used fabric at the beginning of the project which I thought we would find harder than we actually did. In my opinion, we have improved upon our problem solving skills, with having to alter the design of the table numerous times so it would work successfully. If we had more time, we would have ideally liked to screen print our designs onto the table to test how this would haven worked for future projects.

I think that my work experience at the Royal Exchange Theatre Workshop has helped a great deal with this project as I learned about the wood stains and varnishes used in industry. It was also helpful that I could return to the workshop to stain the table and use their facilities. 

I haven't worked on a project with Jenny before, but I definitely would do again. We co-operated with each other and worked together to create the designs. I also have enjoyed working in a different way for a client, rather than for something hypothetical like we would usually do on our course. I have found this project highly rewarding and would like to work with more industrial materials alongside fabric in future projects.


Unit X Exhibition - Federation House

I found displaying my work in the final Unit X exhibition very rewarding as I could reflect upon the hard work and determination that I have put into creating collaborative pieces both within a group and individual environment. I believe I have worked effectively throughout both projects and I have contributed equally to both, managing my time appropriately. 

Investigation and Reflection - Finalising the Individual Project

This week I set out to visit the Royal Exchange Theatre workshop again, and use it to my advantage, in order to choose an appropriate stain and varnish for the table. I tested several shades of wood stain on several different types and thicknesses of wood. 

With the idea in mind of wanting to make the wood look more expensive and aged, the Brown Oak and Brown Mahogany stains worked the best. I also applied a satin varnish to the samples to add a sheen to the surface. One of the technicians at the workshop allowed me to cut a piece of varnished 18mm birch plywood down to the size I needed - 800mm X 450mm. I then had to sand off the varnish so that I could apply a new one and the wood would take the stain. I thought a thicker plywood than the 6mm standard one from the laser workshop would be more suitable for the table as it is heavier and more durable, so 18mm was ideal!

Problems with producing the table

After sampling on the laser cutter last week, myself and Jenny tried to book back on the machine at the next available space to engrave the 18mm plywood. However, we came across our biggest problem in this project so far - there wasn't any space left until after the deadline! Adan the technician had a cancellation that same day, so there was a slight panic to gather materials together in time for the slot he could offer us. I managed to get the wood from home and get back to the workshop in time for the session, so it was a success, although it was very heavy! On beginning the session, Adan explained that we would not be able to cut through the 18mm plywood with the laser, as the thickest it could cut through is 6mm, although we would be able to engrave onto it still. We had to alter the design quickly in order to finish it within our given slot. In the short notice of being able to use the laser cutter, we didn't have any slate with us to engrave into for the centre of the table. We have had to change the design slightly so that only one 10cmX10cm tile will fit in the centre now - it is not ideal, and we would have liked more time on the machine to engrave better designs onto the slates, but there was a long waiting list after our session for cancellations, so we had to make the most out of a bad situation. Adan did however suggest that we could design the hole for the centre of the wood and he would be able to create a rebate for the slate to sit in using the CNC Router, making the surface flat and appropriate for use. I plan to revisit the Royal Exchange Theatre Workshop this week to finish off the table top, staining and varnishing it as planned. We will then find a way to secure the slate in place in the centre of the wood next week.

Stained Wood

Additional Work

Myself and Jenny, for our individual project, have decided to print some of our Photoshop work as printed artwork for Bruntwood to place wherever they want. The designs are in-keeping with our group project with geometric shapes and structures, however the colour scheme is different. We have pushed ourselves out of our comfort zones by not using colour on the table - usually our main starting point in our textiles work. We have also had some spare time at the end of the project, so we thought we would use our initiative and create a collection of fabric samples too. If we had more time, we would have ideally liked to screen print these designs onto the table top as a feature - inspiration from Daniel Heath (immediately below).

 

Investigation and Reflection - Finalising the Group Project

This week the group have been finalising things for the Dragon's Den style presentation. We have decided to change the name of the building, to enhance the redesign of the reception area. The new name will be Fairhurst House, after the architect that initially designed it. We felt that this would also add more meaning to the building and its precedence, therefore refreshing it. 

Myself and Jenny have been working on collaborating with Emily to finalise the sample boards. We printed our designs onto cotton to demonstrate how the inks would colour the fabric, but some have come out slightly darker than anticipated, so they will not be featured on the sample board. The Bolon flooring, Corian and tiles are all within a similar colour palette - either greys and whites or yellows (acting as a feature colour).

Further Updates:

After the previous pitch to Bruntwood, the group were advised to focus on a couple of the CAD plans, so we will develop the Blue-sky plan (see below) and option 2.

Blue Sky Option (preferred)

Holly, who was focussing on Branding, has fallen ill and will not be able to finish the designs on time without help. This has meant that the group has had to pull together so that they will be complete before the deadline. There are only minor changes to make - making sure that they comply with Bruntwood's policies and that the font is the same, etc. I believe we will complete the presentation on time, and the group will all pull together to ensure this is done properly, maintaining professionalism.

Visuals of Blue Sky option

After deliberating which option to progress further, the group decided that the Blue Sky option had more potential than option 2 (leaving the space as it was previously, just rearranging it), because it made better use of the space. The reception area is more open and welcoming and people that do not necessarily need to stop at reception can get straight up the stairs to their respective offices. Bruntwood also said at the first presentation that they liked the features of the Blue Sky option, and if we liked it too we should progress it.

There would also be a large seating area to carry out meetings, or if you were waiting for a client. This offers some privacy but not as to exclude any space. We have kept the colours fairly neutral, with a splash of colour in places, as to not overwhelm the space, which I believe has been effective.

The lift lobbies will also carry on this theme throughout the building to be cohesive with the new reception area and to be thorough in the redesigning of this building. The splash of colour makes the space more contemporary, without overwhelming it.